Reservation for Agniveers in CAPFs to increase to 50%, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• The Union Home Ministry has decided to increase the reservation for ex-Agniveers in Group C posts of the CAPFs from 10% to 50%.
• 50% of vacant constable posts in the Border Security Force (BSF) will be reserved for former Agniveers.
• Ex-Agniveers will be exempted from Physical Standard Test and Physical Efficiency Test, but will have to appear for written examinations.
• Recruitment rules for Group C posts of all CAPFs will be amended gradually.
• The first batch of Agniveers will be eligible for recruitment in the CAPFs in 2026.

Detailed Insights:

• The recruitment policy announced in 2022 faced violent protests and was a major issue during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
• The Ministry initially announced 10% reservation for Agnipath scheme recruits in CAPFs, along with age relaxations.
• The amended rules for BSF include 50% reservation for ex-Agniveers, 10% for ex-Servicemen, and up to 3% for absorption of Combatised Constable (Tradesmen).
• Recruitment will be conducted in two phases: the first by the Nodal Force for ex-Agniveers, and the second by the Staff Selection Commission for other candidates.
• Age criteria for absorption in the rank of constables from among the Combatised Constable (Tradesmen) of the BSF have been relaxed from 30 to 35 years.
• CAPFs include the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), BSF, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and the Assam Rifles.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Agniveers: Recruits inducted into the armed forces through the Agnipath scheme.
• CAPFs: Collective term for the central armed police forces of India.
• Group C posts: Non-gazetted posts in the government hierarchy.